Tempory Cockpit pump

[Adrian]

I’ve got a Sailfish 18 that I normally keep on a trailer, however, I would like to keep her at a mariner/mooring for the summer season, problem 1, she doesn’t have a self draining cockpit, is it possible to fit a temporary cockpit pump similar to bilge pump? Problem 2, I don’t have any electric’s on board I don’t mind having a temporary battery on board but will I be able to connect a pump with float switch directly to a battery with out any other electric’s? would I be able to use the shore power in some way?

What do other people in the same boat (no pun intended) do.

Thanks in advance

Adrian

 

[WayneS]

I'm sure that you could make this work. You get some nice pumps now with built in float switches. You just need to somehow secure this in the right position.

As for keeping the battery charged, why not do this via a solar panel. That should be enough to trickle charge the battery. If it is only rain that you have to worry about then this should keep things going (Assuming that you live in a non monsoon type climate.

You may also be able to arrange with the marina to keep an eye on it an if it looks like it is losing the battle they could connect up a charger.

Cheers

 

[Guest]

I had a Sailfish 18 some years ago and encountered the same problem.As you will appreciate the cockpit sole is at or just below the waterline thus precluding conventional cockpit drains.

I looked at electric pumps which then leads to charging problems for the battery.I got over it by getting a cocpit cover which I fitted when leaving her for extended periods.

I do recall seeing in one of the yachting magazines (I am going back 15 years or so!) that the Scandinavians get over this problem by fitting a pump on open boats left on a mooring that works on wave action.Apparently this system is common over there - it might be worth researching.

Cheers

Keltman